Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are hunkered down in the swing state of Pennsylvania Monday night, preparing for their first, and likely only, debate of the election cycle.
A high-stakes moment for the two who have not met in person, it is expected to be the most significant event in the race to the White House.
“I think this is a one-and-done tomorrow,” said Democratic strategist Dan Bryan. “I think she’s going to show people why the Democratic Party unified behind her so quickly and so energetically; and why there’s been so much energy behind her candidacy. You know you hate to say so much rides on one night, but there’s no question this is a big one.”
A New York Times/Siena poll out Monday finds the race is neck and neck.
“Her honeymoon period is wearing off,” said Chris Russell, a veteran Republican strategist, referring to Harris. “She has to prove that she is more than just the pomp and circumstance of a convention and the honeymoon she had coming in.”
If Trump focuses on policy, Russell said, “…on policies like taxes, immigration and energy, he can win this debate. … He can occupy the center and do a good job for himself in this debate if he can just be disciplined enough to do that.”
